Service Bulletin

INFORMATION

Dealership Service Consultant Procedure as Vehicle Comes into Service Drive for Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) System Message, Light and Customer Information

Models: 2006-2014 GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks

Attention: ❗ The information found in this bulletin is to be used as a dealership service consultant procedure for customers coming into the service lane with an illuminated “low tire light" or comments on a check tire pressure/low tire pressure/add air to tire or service tire monitor system message. Maintaining proper tire pressures is an Owner's Maintenance item and is not covered under warranty.

This bulletin is being revised to add model years, add the current Global Labor Time Code and update the tool reference information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 09-03-16-002A (Section 03 – Suspension).

Customer Concerns and Confusion with the Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) System

The following procedure should be used by dealership service consultants when a customer comes into the service drive with a "low tire light" on or comments on a check tire pressure/low tire pressure/add air to tire or service tire monitor system message. The service consultant should perform the following steps:

Procedure

• Turn the key to ON, without starting the engine.
• Scenario: Low tire light comes on and stays on solid with a check tire pressure/low tire pressure/add air to tire message (on vehicles equipped with DIC)
  • Advise the customer: The system is working properly.
  • Properly adjusting all tire air pressures to the recommended levels and driving the vehicle will turn the light off (refer to the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver side door).
  • More detailed information can be found in the Owner Manual.
  • Service is not covered under warranty – this maintenance is the responsibility of the owner.
  • Give the customer a copy of the attached "GM Customer TPMS Information."
• Scenario: TPM light blinks for one minute then stays on solid with a service tire monitor system message (on vehicles equipped with DIC)
  • A TPM system problem exists. The vehicle should be written up accordingly and sent to your service department for further DTC diagnosis and service.
  • If dashes (—) are displayed in only one or two of the tire pressure readouts, it is likely caused by a previous TPM system relearn that was performed incorrectly due to interference from another vehicle's TPM system during the relearn process (refer to the Important statement later in this bulletin regarding TPM relearn with a scan tool).
  • If dashes (—) are displayed in all four of the tire pressure readouts, there is a system problem. Follow the appropriate SI service procedures.
• Scenario: Low tire light comes on for a few minutes when the vehicle is started, then goes off after driving a while
  • Advise the customer: The system is working properly.
  • Most likely, air pressure in one or more of the tires is low enough to turn the light on when tires are cold. After driving for a while, tires will heat up, allowing tire air pressure to increase above the threshold causing the light to go off. Properly adjusting all tire air pressures to the recommended levels will correct this (Refer to the Tire and Loading Information Label on the driver side door).
  • More detailed information can be found in the Owner Manual.
  • Service is not covered under warranty – this maintenance is the responsibility of the owner.
  • Give the customer a copy of the attached "GM Customer TPMS Information."
  • For more detailed information, refer to the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number 07-03-16-004 and TPMS Training Course 13044.20 GM Chassis Control Systems.

Tire Pressure Light

At key on, without starting the vehicle:

Steady Solid Glowing TPM Indicator

⚠️ If the TPM indicator appears as a steady glowing yellow lamp, the system is functioning properly and you should add air to the tires to correct this condition.

Blinking TPM Indicator

⚠️ If the TPM indicator appears as a BLINKING yellow lamp for one minute and then stays on solid, diagnostic service is needed.

The Effect of Outside Temperature on Tire Pressures

Important: As a rule of thumb, tire pressure will change about 7 kPa (1 psi) for every 6°C (10°F) decrease or increase in temperature – Tire pressure will drop when it gets colder outside, and rise when it gets warmer.

Under certain situations such as extreme outside temperature changes, the system may bring on a solid light with a check tire pressure message. This should be considered normal and the system is working properly. The light will turn off upon adding the proper amount of air to the tires (refer to the Tire & Loading Information label in the driver's door opening).

When properly adjusting tire air pressure, the following steps are important to help optimize the system and prolong bringing a tire pressure light on:

• Use an accurate, high quality tire pressure gauge.
• Never set the tire pressure below the specified placard value regardless of tire temperature or ambient temperature.
• Tire pressure should be set to the specified placard pressure at the lowest seasonal temperature the vehicle will encounter during operation.
• When adding proper tire air pressure, it is important to remember fluctuations in outside air temperatures and tire temperatures effect tire air pressures.

Labor Operation and Repair Order/ Warranty System Claim Required Documentation

Important: The ONLY time labor operation 8050079 should be used is to diagnose for a system issue. That should ONLY occur if, at key ON, without starting the engine, the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) light blinks for one minute and then stays on solid with a Service Tire Monitor System message (on vehicles equipped with a DIC). If that occurs, a TPM system problem exists and the system will have set a DTC. If one of these labor operations is used, the following Repair Order and Warranty System documentation are required:

• Document the customer complaint on the Repair Order.
• Document the TPMS DTC that has set on the Repair Order.
• Enter the TPMS DTC in the Global Warranty System in the Failure Code/DTC field on the claim submission.

If the above information is not documented on the Repair Order and Warranty System, the claim may be rejected. If the Warranty Parts Center (WPC) generates a request, this repair order documentation must be sent back.

Customer TPMS Information

Dear GM Customer:

Customer care is at the top of our priority list at GM. We value our customers and want to make certain of a great ownership experience. To assist you in better understanding your vehicle, please make note of the following information relative to tire air pressure and the vehicle system that monitors air pressure performance.

Tire air pressure is a maintenance item in which the owner is responsible. Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) designed to provide you with adequate information to maintain proper tire air pressure. Proper tire air pressure is important to optimize safety, fuel economy, vehicle performance, and tire wear.

Changes in weather, including warm or cold outdoor temperatures, can cause air in your tires to expand or contract. Should this occur, your vehicle's TPMS may give you a low tire signal/alert along with the following message: Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add Air To Tire. As a rule of thumb, tire pressure will change about 7 kPa (1 psi) for every 6°C (10°F) decrease or increase in temperature – Tire pressure will drop when it gets colder outside, and rise when it gets warmer.

Your GM Dealer has determined that the TPMS on your vehicle is working properly. The light will turn off upon adding the proper amount of air to the tires (per the Tire & Loading Information label in the driver's door opening) followed by driving the vehicle a short distance. The low tire light is similar to the low fuel indicator and adding fuel or air to the vehicle will turn off the light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my vehicle have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System?

A: Starting with the 2008 model year, all vehicles sold in the United States are equipped with tire pressure monitoring in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 138 issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some GM vehicles built prior to the 2008 model year or sold in Canada may also have a tire pressure monitoring system; check vehicle build option information to be sure.

Q: How does the Tire Pressure Monitoring System operate?

A: The system is designed to monitor tire air pressure and notify the driver when the tire pressure in any tire becomes too low. The system will turn on a yellow lighted graphic. If the air pressure remains low, each time the vehicle is restarted, the light will reappear, some vehicles may also display the following message: Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add Air To Tire.

⚠️ TPM Indicator Light

Q: What if my tire pressure light comes on and stays on solid with a Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add Air to Tire message?

A: Simply add the proper amount of air to your tires. Refer to the Tire & Loading Information label in the driver door opening for the recommended tire pressures. Once the tires are properly filled with air, drive the vehicle and the message/light will go off.

Q: How would I know if the Tire Pressure Monitoring System was not working properly?

A: Each time the vehicle is started, the system's yellow light will appear. It will “blink” for one minute, then remain on solid. Some vehicles may also display the following message: Service Tire Monitor System. If this happens, visit a GM dealer for service.

For more information, refer to the Owner Manual or go to www.CheckMyTires.org.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.